Improved light for cars



u 2 h RI CATHCART' S eets Sheet 1 I Car J.a'mp. No. 30,297. Patented 0m. 9, 1860.

VIEW OF LAMP AT BOTTOM SHOWINGOOMQ L REFLECT R w i 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. R. CATHCART.

I Car Lamp.

No. 30,297. v Patented Oct. 9, 1860. I

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT OATHCART, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

lMPROVED LIGHT FOR CARS.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, ROBERT CATHCART, of Baltimore,in the county of Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented a new and Improved Method of Li ghtin g Street-Railway and other Cars and Vehicles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being," had to theaecompanying drawing and to theletters of reference marked thereon.

The object of my invention is to provide street-railway or other cars and vehicles with a signal-lantern, the same being placed in an elevated position on or near the roof, and operating by means of and in connection with the lamp or gas flame in the interior of the same.

The nature of the improvement, therefore, consists in the relative position assigned to the signal-lamp upon the car and the means of illumination employed in the interior thereof, so that While all the rays of light which pass to the inner part of the, carriage have their full effect, those which are directed upward are economized, and striking on the conical reflector are dispersed into the space outside.

By reference to the accompanying drawing will be seen in elevation (marked A) the ordinary interior lamp suspended by brackets from the roof of the car. Above the roof is placed the usual hood or ventilator to the lamp, the sides of which are filled with glass of the colors required for signal purposes.

In the top of the hood or ventilator is secured the conical reflector by hooks. From its base. as shown in the accompanying drawing, (marked B 13,) it will be seen that while the lamp furnishes the required amount of light for the interior of the car or carriage, a portion is reflected by the cone, serving the purpose of a signal-light for the exterior. By this arrangement more than two-thirds of the quantity of oil, fluid, or gas used for lighting the interior and making signal-lights on each end of the roof of the car are saved, and economy promoted by the purchase, repairs, and cleaning of one lamp, instead of three, now used for above-mentioned purposes.

\Vhatl claim is The arrangement, in the manner specified, of the conical re Hector and lantern relatively to the lamp and roof of railway and other cars, for the purpose described.

ROBERT CATHCART. Witnesses:

RHD. H. MIDDLETON, JAS. F. BRYSON. 

